I would think that the programs for PAs would be quite a bit more difficult. I'm a RN & have worked with a lot of PAs & they have a lot more responsibilities. In fact, most of them might as well of been the physicians, they were the ones coming to the hospital to see the patients, documenting on the charts, prescribing the meds, just about everything the physician would have done if he/she would have come in. Plus, they make a whole lot more money. If I were you, I would try to stick to the PA program unless I thought there was no way I was going to pass the classes. Not that the nursing programs are easy, they're not, but I highly doubt they are as difficult as PAs programs are-they just can't be. Whatever you decide to do, good luck!